Primer choices

Share information about reloading the .204 Ruger.
Post Reply
randyman
Senior Member
Posts: 228
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2016 1:04 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: .204 on AR platform, .20 Vartarg built from Rem. 700 SA
Location: Butte and Lassen counties in Northern Calif.

Primer choices

Post by randyman »

It's been years since I've reloaded but use to do a lot. Unfortunately, the brain didn't retain a lot of my experience so please bear with me on what may seem to be simple questions. I see a lot good remarks about the Remington 7-1/2 primers but I'm having trouble getting my hands on some without ordering them. The shelves are full of other brands and sizes but the slot for this one is usually empty which tells me it's in high demand. I have a couple thousand CCI #400 primers and am wondering if they will work in my .204? Planning to use my Varget powder with Nosler 32 Varmageddon and 32 grain Ballistic Tip Varmint bullets. Shooting Hornady cases. Any advice is appreciated-Thanks, Randy.
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2607
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: Primer choices

Post by Bill K »

I like and use the Rem 7 1/2 in all my 20's, along with CCI #41 and have no issues. Your 400's should work, with the possible exception of near max loads, Try a few and see how they do, then use them, if they do not pierce. Bill K
User avatar
Duker
New Member
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:37 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage Model 11, Savage dual port PTA. Both wear CBI barrels
Location: Central Illinois

Re: Primer choices

Post by Duker »

As Bill said, the 400's will work in the low to mid range but working up to where the 204 shines you will experience cratering and the likely-hood of piercing and bolt face damage. If you can't find the 7 1/2's, The CCI 450 like the 41's have a thicker cup and will withstand the pressure. Save your 400's for the lower pressure rounds.
User avatar
futuretrades
Senior Member
Posts: 835
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:16 am
.204 Ruger Guns: HOWA 1500 .204 Ruger Varmint, Bull Bbl, Lupy 6-18x40 custom

Re: Primer choices

Post by futuretrades »

I got together with a shooting buddy of mine, when primers were hard to get, and we found some on one of the reloading sites for a decent price. We bought 10,000 primers together, and paid the haz mat for the shipping. Don't remember where or or what we paid, but it was well worth it to both of us. But between the both of us, we go thru a whole lot of reloads, when "Skippy" is out an about!

Just a suggestion, get together with someone and pay the haz mat and order some. Once you have them you won't have to worry about finding them.
NRA Benefactor Life member
HOWA 1500 Varmint 204 Ruger, Bull Barrel, Hogue Overmold Stock, Leupold VXII 6-18x40mm AO LRV Custom Reticle Timney Trigger
Cooper Mdl 21 20VarTargW/Leupold VXIII, 6-20x40AO Varmint Hunter reticle.
randyman
Senior Member
Posts: 228
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2016 1:04 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: .204 on AR platform, .20 Vartarg built from Rem. 700 SA
Location: Butte and Lassen counties in Northern Calif.

Re: Primer choices

Post by randyman »

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll take it and search a bit harder for the better primers suggested here.
varmit_master
Senior Member
Posts: 100
Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 4:30 am
.204 Ruger Guns: TC 204
Location: Arkansas

Re: Primer choices

Post by varmit_master »

I can find the Rem 7 1/2 BR primers in town. That's all I use in my 204. I think I have 4 or 5000 on hand.
truckerwalt
Junior Member
Posts: 88
Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:59 am
.204 Ruger Guns: RUGER MK II/SAVAGE MOD. 12

Re: Primer choices

Post by truckerwalt »

I have always had the best luck with the rem. 7.5 primers and the worst accuracy with cci-400 and cci-450. fed primers were nest best to the rem.
TwentyBore
Junior Member
Posts: 77
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 1:34 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage 12FV

Re: Primer choices

Post by TwentyBore »

If you can't find Rem 7-1/2s, I've had just as good of luck with Federal 205M, if those are available to you.
skipper
Moderator
Posts: 1616
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:32 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington XR 100, Custom build Lilja/Panda/Shehane/Jewell
Location: Cypress, TX

Re: Primer choices

Post by skipper »

I will have to admit a partiality to the CCI BR4 primers. They have gotten quite expensive though.
Image Hold 'em & Squeeze 'em
User avatar
brooksb
Senior Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2016 3:34 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M12 FV
Location: up date, we sold in Ca, we are house hunting.

Re: Primer choices

Post by brooksb »

Check your PM, i know a place with 7 1/2's and powder too.
HoundofSC
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:36 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Stevens based custom

Re: Primer choices

Post by HoundofSC »

I use the CCI 450's with 23.7 RL10X and a 39 gr SBK. Consistent sub .5 performance @100 and 200 and sub MOA accuracy at 300 off a bipod and bag
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2607
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: Primer choices

Post by Bill K »

The main reason, I see and feel for the use of the Rem 7.5's, is due to the thicker cup material and therefore they will not pierce the primes, unless you really go over board on pressure, compared to the more standard one's. (there are a few others with thicker primer cups, also however i.e. CCI #41, Fed 205m for a couple.
As too your primers working, they will and you may not have any issue with them, unless you also push their pressure limits. Load some and check your loads/accuracy out. Bill K :)
HoundofSC
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:36 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Stevens based custom

Re: Primer choices

Post by HoundofSC »

The reason I use the CCI 450's simply because I bought 10K several years ago for my AR .223's and they seem to work fine in the .204. I have also loaded a few batches using CCI 400 and noticed no difference in performance one way or the other.
Post Reply